Following yesterday's NSA North Sheep, Virgin Money's Head of Agriculture Brian Richardson was keen to stress the importance of the net zero agenda. "This is something which is here to stay in UK farming and the sooner all farmers understand the value of the carbon audit process, the sooner they can plan their own sustainable, carbon-neutral future."

The carbon audit of the NSA North Sheep host's Bradford House Farm shows that this successful family farming enterprise has emissions well below average, and highlights the next steps that will keep the Woodman family on track to achieve their net zero target.

The full results were presented by Virgin Money and auditors Carbon Metrics in a dedicated seminar, and Brian Richardson was confident farmers will be inspired by this positive carbon message.

"The agricultural sector is clearly facing some daunting challenges right now, and the carbon net zero target might seem like just another distraction. But the Bradford House Farm audit the Woodman family have undertaken for North Sheep is a very encouraging demonstration of how valuable these audits can be.

"It has given the Woodmans a clear and accurate analysis of their current emissions, which are reassuringly ahead of the average. And Carbon Metrics have been able to identify a range of measures that will cut carbon AND save costs in the future.

"Over the last two years or more we have initiated multiple pilots for carbon audits similar to the Woodmans' on a number of farm types. These audits are as much about having a 'deep delve' into an individual business as they are specifically about carbon reduction, and understanding that the carbon challenge can offer opportunities to review soil and pasture management, effective use of FYM, improving overall performance as well as offsetting through trees, hedgerows and renewables.

"Farming is going to have to change in order to succeed, and farming practices take time to change so an early start is imperative. NSA North Sheep offers a fantastic shop window to show the sheep sector and wider agriculture how important a carbon audit can be as a starting point for the journey to a more environmentally and commercially sustainable future."

NSA North Sheep is widely considered as one of the UKs most important sheep industry events, providing a vital platform for those who attend to discuss and debate the future of a sustainable sheep industry.